Nutcracker



H. PITMAN.

NUTCRACKER. APPLICATION FILED mm 31. 1922.

Patented Dec. 5, 1922.

61 Hl ume 1 Patented Dec. 55 i922.

s.. at lt t t. it

NUTCRACKER.

Application filed March 31, 1922. Serial No 548,277.

To all whom it may concern. 7

Be it known that I, HENRY M. PrrMiiN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Dallas. in the county ofDallas and State ot' Texas, have invented certain new and use- 'l'ul Improvements in Nutcrackers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in nutcrackers.

The object or the invention is to provide a highly improved lever-actuated device of simple construction for cracking various sizes and kinds of nuts, and in which an increased leverage is had during the crackingope *ation, whereby the nuts may be cracked with greater facility.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device having a relatively large base, whereby clamping elements are obviated and the device may be set wherever convenient on a table or the like.

In carrying out the invention 1 provide an inclined gear rack and a movable head carrying an eccentric gear segment meshing with said rack. The said segn'ient constitutes the weight arm of the operating lever, and as the latter is depressed the inicrum becomes nearer the point of resistance, whereby greater power is had which facilitates the cracking operation.

it construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described together with other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily un derstood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which an example of the invention is shown, and wherein:

1. is a side elevation of a nutcracker constructed in accordance with my invention,

Fig. 2 is a similar view partly in section,

Fig. 3 is a cross section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, and

Fig. 4 is a cross section taken on the line 4 4; of Fig. 1.

In the drawings thenumeral 1O designates a relatively large base with a flange 11. The base may be-ot any suitable size or shape, but is preferably of such construction as to rest upon a table or the like and provide an adequate support.

Mounted on one end of the base is a standard 12 having guide ribs 13 on opposite sides. On the other end of thebase opposite the standard 12 is an anvil lt having a depression in its top for receiving one end of a nut. Located inwardly of the said anvil and having its lower end secured to the base .10 is an inclined bar 15 the outer face of which forms a gear rack 15. The upper end of the bar is secured to the standard 12. Each end of the said bar has a lip 16 thru. which a screw 17 is passed. By this arrangement; should the said bar become damaged, the same may be removed and a new one mounted in its place.

it provide a movable head 18 which engages over the standard 12 and is adapted to ride vertically thereon. The guide ribs engage in guideways 19 in the inner sides of thehea-d. The said head is substantially U shaped, an d pivoted in the open end thereof is an operating lever 20. An eccentric gear segment 21 constitutes the short or veight arm of the lever, and is disposed at substantially right angles to the power arm. As will be readily seen the said segment meshes with the gear rack 15. When the lever is depressed it is obvious that the engagement of the segment and rack causes thehead to move downwardly. As will be best seen in Fig. 2, the fulcrum oi the lever becomes nearer the rack or point of resistonce as the head moves downwardly, thereby increasing the power of the lever.

liiounted on the underside of the head in alinement with the anvil 14; is a die 22 which has a concave face for receiving a nut.

In operation it will be seen that a'nut is I placed. in the anvil 1 1, preferably with one end up, the movable head being in elevated position as is shown in Fig. 1. By depressthe lever 20 the head is readily moved downwardly causing the die 22 to engage the upper end of the nut. It is pointed out that because of the increased power in leverage when the head is lowered. the nut will be easily and quiclny cracked between the die and anvil.

it will be seen that the device may be set upon a table or the like where it will be convenient to operate. If it is desired to locate the device in a stationary position, a screw hole 23 may be provided in each end of the flange 11, as is obvious.

Various changes in the size and shape of the different parts. as well as modifications, may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim, is:

In a nutcracker, a base a standard mounted on the base an inclined gear rack extending from the base to the standard, a movable head adapted to slide Vertically upon the said standard, an operating lever pivoted in the said head and carrying an eccentric gear segment meshing With the said rack, whereby the said head is reciprocated vertically when the said lever is actuated, and a die carried by the underside of the said head and co-operating with means on the base for engaging and cracking a nut when the said head is lowered by the operation of said lever.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

HE NRY M. PITMAN. 

